Are there any sellers at Hershey dealing primarily in radiator emblems and brass scripts?

[basscaster]

Or do most of these come up as one offs in other booths? Just curious if anyone focuses in this area.

[Marty Roth]

I recall a gentleman, the late Arthur Evans, several years my elder, in what is now Chocolate Field North. He had several already created, and accepted orders for those less common. 

It has been many, many years ...

Edited September 13, 2019 by Marty Roth (see edit history)

[Mark Wetherbee]

I remember that booth but those were good reproduction ones.  John Webster was one who specialized in original emblems but he’s been gone a long time too...

 

I think it’s hit or miss these days.

[Terry Bond]

Look up Jerry Lettieri in the directory.  His spaces are near mine (I'm in spaces GCC 5,6 and he is just a row or two over).  Jerry is a great guy and always has an assortment of emblems to suit all collectors. The brass scripts are less easy to find and I don't recall any recent specialists.  Hershey is always a treasure hunt so enjoy.

Terry

 

[1937hd45]

43 minutes ago, Mark Wetherbee said:

I remember that booth but those were good reproduction ones.  John Webster was one who specialized in original emblems but he’s been gone a long time too...

 

I think it’s hit or miss these days.

Thanks, I've been trying to remember John's last name he was a regular vendor at out local show/swap meet, always had a great assortment of badges. Bob 

[edinmass]

95 percent of what you will find is reproduction stuff from the 50’s and 60’s. Same thing with watch fobs. You need to educate yourself before you buy. Lots of junk out there.

[Terry Bond]

Another early vendor of radiator scripts was the late Arthur Evans.  He reproduced scripts using originals in his collection as templates.  Now some of his reproductions are fifty years old and would probably pass easily as the real thing.

2 hours ago, edinmass said:

95 percent of what you will find is reproduction stuff from the 50’s and 60’s. Same thing with watch fobs. You need to educate yourself before you buy. Lots of junk out there.

Ed's advice is golden!   I've collected automotive watch fobs for a long time and indeed, about 95% of what you see on evil-bay is indeed phony.  I see sellers telling all kings of stories - "came from an old collection"  "estate purchase"  "Guaranteed genuine" etc.etc.  Just because the collector was "old" is no guarantee of authenticity.

Terry

[basscaster]

do members of this board have any tips for spotting original brass scripts versus copies. I'm considering buying a collection of them, but the best I have to go on is that they were collected by a man who preferred originals, and had a lot of old cars as well. But his could be from the 50s and 60s too for all I know. To my knowledge, most brass scripts weren't stamped with a makers mark, but I could be wrong.

[Terry Bond]

Must admit I'm not anywhere near an "expert" on the scripts but I've indeed never seen makers names on them.  Perhaps it's because early auto manufacturers did not outsource them, but made their own?   I'd look for obvious mounting points on them.  Doesn't mean they are not repros that were once installed on an old car, but I'd certainly be suspect of a flat brass script that showed no evidence of ever having been mounted.  Either holes in them to mount with, or even evidence of studs being soldered to the back should be present.  

Hopefully other smarter collectors will chime in here, but as a collector paying today's prices, be careful.  Just because he "preferred" originals or started collecting a long time ago, doesn't add any degree of authenticity in my opinion.   Would loves to see photos of what you acquire.

Terry

Edited September 13, 2019 by Terry Bond (see edit history)

[basscaster]

Agreed. The mounting holes will be one of the best clues